Windshield cleaner



Nov. 27, 1923. 1,475,625

F. G: FOLBERTH ET -AL I WINDSHIELD CLEANER Filed July 10. 1922 '3 Sheets-Sheet 1 gvwenfou Nov. 27, 1923.

1,475,625 F. G. FOLBERTH ET AL WINDSHIELD CLEANER Filed July 1Q. 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 gnoanfou' Nov. 27 1923.

1 e m o s a 5 F. G. FOLBERTH ET AL WINDSHIELD CLEANER Filed July 10.

Patented Nov. 27, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT orrics- FRIED Gr. FOLBERTH AND WILLIAM M. FOLBlE-RTH, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNQRS TO THE FOLBERTH AUTO SPECIALTY COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A COR- PORATION OF OHIO.

WINDSHIELD CLEANER.

Application filed Ju1y'10, 1922. Serial No. 574,024.

'1 '0' all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, FRED G. FOLBERTH and WILLIAM M. FoLBER'rH, citizens of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Windshield Cleaners, of which the a following is a specification.

This invention relates to windshield cleaners, and more particularly to automatic windshield cleaners.

In the construction of automatic windshield cleaners, there is provided an automatic motor, suction or pressure operated, adapted to be attached to a suitable support and provided with a transverse shaft extending through the support. A cleaner arm is attached to this shaft, and this arm is adapted to carry a cleaner element on its lowerend which contacts with the Windshield or window to be cleaned, The cleaner arm is formed of resilient metal, or other suitable means are provided to normally hold the cleaner element against the windshield with sufficient force to properly clean the windshield.

An object of the present-invention is the provision of means for releasing the tension of the cleaner arm when the cleaner is not in use.

A further object is the provision of means for automatically releasing the tension of the cleaner arm by the operation of the main valve.

In the present invention, we provide a pivotally mounted cleaner arm attached to the shaft in any suitable manner, The shaft is movable and is provided with suitable means to oscillate it when the valve isopened or closed, whereby the cleaner arm is swung on its pivot to operative position in contact with the windshield, or to inoperative position spaced therefrom.

In the accompanying drawings, we have shown one embodiment of the invention. In this showing:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a portion of a trolley car showing the invention applied, 4

Figure 2 is a detail view of a portion of the valve operating mechanism,

Figure 3 is a rear elevation of the cleaner,

a line above the cleaner,

Figure-5 is a transverse sectional view on line 55 of Figure .4,

Figure 6 is a front elevation of the cleaner arm and cleaner element,

1 Figure 8 is a horizontal sectio'nal view on line 88 of Figure 7,

Figure 9 is a detail view of a spring used in connecting the cleaner element to the cleaner arm,

Figure 10 is a detail sectional view on line 10- 10 of Figure 3, and,

' Figure 11 is a similar view on line l1-11 of Figure 4.

Referring to the drawings, the reference numeral 1 designates the window of a street car mounted in a suitable frame 2. The

body of the car is indicated at 3, and is pro-' vided with a pocket or well 4 into which the window frame may be lowered. The car is provided with a horizontal strip 5, arranged above the window, forming a part of the 'ports and passages to connect the ends of the cylinder to the source of power. In this illustration, we have disclosed a windshield cleaner attached to a. trolley car and adapted 1 to be operated by air or other fluid under pressure, but it is of con. se, apparent that the invention may be applied to suction operated cleaners used on, motor vehicles. In the present. construction, the cleaner is adapted to be connected to a suitable source of pressure, such as the air tank of the brake system. A control valve casing 11 is mountedon the head and is provided with a valve 12 having a port 13. A suitable connecting pipe (not shown) is arranged in the threaded end 14 of the valve casing. The opposite end of the valve casing is provided with a seat 15, adapted to receive the end of a threaded rod 16, whereby the fluid passing through the valve when the plug is, in a given position may be controlled. This rod is provided with a squared end 17 for the reception of a suitable operating tool. The valve casing is provided with a downwardly extending port 18, the end of which is adapted to receive a piece of tubing19. A rubber hose 20 is arranged over the end of this tubing and the other end of the hose is connected to a tube 21, which communicates with the interior of the head through an opening 22. The head is provided with a pair of valve members 23 and 24. The valve member 23 reciprocates in a plug 25, having an opening 26 of larger diameter than the diameter of the valve member. This member is provided with a valve seat 27, at its outer end, adapted to cooperate with a valve 28 formed on the valve member. A second plug 29 is arranged in alinement with the plug 25, and this plug is provided with a recess 30 on its inner end. The end of the recess is provided with a valve seat 31, adapted to .cooperate with a valve 32, arranged adjacent the valve 28. The plug/ 29 is provided with a transverse port 33 communicating with the recess 30. A transverse passage 34 extends through the head and this passage communicates with the recess 30 through the port 33. As shown, the plug is provided with a groove 35 in alinement with the passage 33. One end of the transve se passage 34 communicates with a longitudinal passage 36, extending longitudinally of -the' cylinder to the opposite end. The opposite end of the passage communicates with a chamber 37. A.plug 38 substantially similar to the plug 25, is arranged in this chamber and this plug is provided with a longitudinal bore 39, adapted to receive the valve member 24, the borebeing of greater diameter than thevalve member. The plug is provided with "valve seats 40 and 41 on its opposite ends, adapted to cooperate with valves 42' and 43, respectively, formed on the valve member 24. The plug is further provided with a transverse port 44, communicating with the central bore and with a groove 45. This groove 45 communicates with an exhaust passage 46, through a port 47. i

The piston or pistons is connected to a reciprocating member 48, having a rack 49 formed on its upper surface. This rack is adapted to mesh with a segmental gear 50, mounted on-a cleaner shaft 51. The shaft 51 is,'as shown, formed of a tubular member and is provided with a rod 52, extending therethrough. The inner end of the shaft forms a support for a valve lever 53. The rod 52 is provided with a nut 54, which engages the valve lever. A plate 55 is'supported on the motor and'is provided with an opening 56 for the passage of the shaft.

As shown, this plate is arranged between the valve lever and the motor casing. The plate is provided with a pair of recesses 57, disposed concentrically to the opening 56. The valve lever is provided with a pair of cams 58, adapted to be received in these openings when the valve is in one position. As shown, the valve lever is provided with a central opening 59 for the passa e of the shaft and a recess 66 in its outer face and is adapted to receive a cleaner support 67, carried on the end of the rod 52 and movable therewith. As shown, a spring 68 is arranged be tween the base of the recess and the cleaner support 67 to normally retain it in outer position. A cleaner arm 69 is pivotally mounted in the head. As shown, the cleaner arm is supported by a pin 70, received in the opposite walls of the recess and free to revolve therein, the cleaner arm being held on the-pin by a set screw 71. The upper end of the cleaner arm passes through an opening 72 in the cleaner support, whereby movement of the rod 52 and cleaner support swings the cleaner arm on its pivot toward and away from the window. 7 v

A cleaner element 73 is mounted on the lower end of the cleaner arm and is adapted to contactwith the window when in operative position (see Figure-1). The cleaner element is secured to the arm by meansof a member 74 which is tubular in cross-section to surround the cleaner arm and is provided ber 74 with respect to the cleaner arm. The

cleaner element is mounted on a pin 77 arranged in the extension 7 5 and is adapted to swing to assume a position at an angle to the window. and parallel to one of the extensions 75 as the cleaner element is oscillated. A spring 78 is arranged between the cleaner element and its support to hold it in proper position. As shown, the spring is provided with a central coil 79, adapted to surround the pin 77 and is further provided with hooks 80 on its opposite ends adapted to engage the cleaner element.

The operation of the device is as follows The motor may be operated when desired through the main valve 12 and is adapted to be used during inclement weather and put out of operation when its use is unnecessary. With the valve 12 in the position shown in As i Figure 11 of the drawings, the interior of the head 10 is connected to a suitable source of pressure through opening 22. Suitable automatic valve mechanism controlled by the movement of the piston is provided (not shown) to reciprocate the valve members 23 and 24 and alternately place the Opposite ends of the cylinder in communication with the source of pressure and the exhaust. With the valves in the position shown in Figure 10 of the drawings, the remote end. of the cylinder is'in communication with the source of power and the opposite end is connected to the exhaust. As shown, the valve 28 is in engagement with the valve seat 27 which disconnects the adjacent end of the cylinder from the source of pressure. Air under pressure passing through opening 22 -then passes through recess 30 of plug 29 into the transverse passage 34, through the port 43 and then to the remote end of the cylinder through longitudinal passage 36. The remote end of'the cylinder is cut oif from the enhaustvby the engagement of valve 43 with its seat: As the pistons approach the adj acentend of the cylinder, the valve actuating mechanism throws the valve members 23 and 24 outwardly to disengage valves 28 and 43 and engage valves 32 and 42. The adjacent end of the cylinder is then connected to thesource of pressure through bore I 26 of plug 25. The remote end of the cylinder is then disconnected from the source of pressure by the engagement of valve 32 and its seat 31. At the same time, the adjacent end'of the cylinder is'disconnected from the exhaust by the engagement of valve 42 and its seat 40. The valve 43 being disengaged from valve seat 41, establishes communication between the remotev end of the cylinder and the exhaust opening 46.through longitudinal passage 36, transverse passage 34, the groove 35, chamber 37 and the bore 39 of plug 38.

By means of the construction of thecleaner shaft and its connection to the cleaner arm, the cleaner element is disengaged from the window andyrelieved of tensionwhen the motor is shut off. WVhen the valve 12 is in open position, the valve lever 53 isin the position shown in Figure 3 of the drawings, with the cams 58 received in the opening 57. The rod 52, is then projected outwardly throwing the upper end of constructed so as to place the cleaner ele-' ment in engagement with the window with the proper degree of.tension which may be adjusted by flexing the cleaner rod 69. The

\ cleaner rod is preferably formed of resilient metal and is adapted to furnish the necessary tension for the cleaner element, but

other suitable means may be employed for this purpose. When the lever 53 is reciprocated to close the valve, the cams move out of the openings 57 throwing the lever inwardly, away from the motor casing. As the-lever bears against the nut 54, the rod 52 is then drawn inwardly, swinging the- .cleaner element on its pivot from the full line position shown in Figure 5 of the drawings, to the dotted line position. This moves the cleaner element away from the window,

as indicated in Figure 7 of the drawings. Due to the difference in length between the portion of the cleaner arm above the pivot 70 and the portion below tlte pivot, it is apparout that a very iligh.) movement of the upper end of the cleaner arm will move the lower end of the cleaner arm a considerable distance. It is thus apparent that when the motor is out ofi, the cleaner element 18 moved away from the window, relieving the tension 4 size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope ot'the subjoined claims.

Having tlrhs described our invention, we

claim: 7 v I 1L In a windshield cleaner, a fluid pres-" sure motor adapted to be operated by difierential pressure", a main valve, controlling the flow of fluid through said motor, a cleaner. arm operatively connected to the motor, a cleaner element carried by said arm and adapted to be continuously held against a window to be cleaned when the motor is in operation, and means for moving said cleaner arm away from the window and retaining it in spaced position.

2. In a windshield cleaner, a fluid pressure motor adapted to be operated by differential pressure, a main valve,controlling the flow otfiuid through said motor, a cleaner arm operatively connected to the motor, a; cleaner element carried by said arm and adapted to be held against a window to be cleaned when the motor is in operation, and a control member connected to said valve and to said cleaner arm .Whereby said cleaner arm and said cleaner element are moved away from said window whenthe valve is closed.

3. In a windshieldcleaner, a fluid motor adapted to be operated by differential pressure, a main valve to control the passage of fluid through said motor, a cleaner arm pivotally mounted on said motor and operatively connected to the motor, said cleaner arm being adapted to swing toward a. window to be cleaned, a cleaner element secured to said arm and adapted to contact with'the window, a valve control lever, and connections between said lever and said cleaner arm to swing said cleaner arm on its pivot when the valve is operated.

4. In a windshield cleaner, a fluid motor adapted to be operated by differential pressure, amain valve to control the passage of fluid through said motor, a cleaner arm pivotally mounted on said motor and operatively connected to the motor, said cleaner arm being adapted to swing toward a window to be cleaned, a cleaner element secured to said arm and adapted to contact with the window, means for operating said valve, and connections between said valve operating means and said cleaner arm to swing said cleaner arm on its pivot when the valve is operated.

5. In a windshield cleaner, a fluid motor adapted to be operated by differential pres sure, a main valve to control the passage of fluid through said motor, a cleaner shaft operated by said motor, a cleaner element adapted to contact with a window to be cleaned, a cleaner arm connecting said clean er element to said cleaner, shaft, a valve-control lever mounted on said motor, and an arm extending throughsaid shaft and connecting said cleaner arm to said lever whereby said cleaner arm is moved transversely of the window when the valve is opened or closed. Y

6. In a windshield cleaner, a fluid motor adapted to be operated by differential pressure, a main valve to control the passage of fluid through said motor, a cleaner arm pivotally mounted on said-motor and operativel'y connected thereto, said cleaner arm being adapted to swing toward a window to be cleaned. a cleaner element secured to said arm and adapted to contact with the window, a plate secured to said motor, said plate being provided with a pair of concentric openings, a valve control lever pivoted on said plate and provided with cams adapted to be received in said openings when'the valve is in one position, and connections between said lever and said cleaner arm whereby movement of said lever disengages said cams from said openings and swings said cleaner arm on its pivot. v

7. In a windshield cleaner, a fluid motor adapted to be operated by differential pressure, a main valve to control the passage of fluid through said motor, a cleaner shaft op eratively connected to said motor, said shaft being provided with an opening extending throughout its length, a cleaner arm pivotally mounted on said shaft and adapted to be operated by the movement of the shaft, a cleaner element secured to said arm, and adapted to contact with a window to be cleaned, a rod extending through said shaft and connected to said arm, a plate mounted on said motor adjacent the other end of said rod, said plate being provided with a pair of concentric openings, and a lever mounted on said plate and connected to said valve, said lever being provided with a pair of cam adapted to be received in said openings when the valve is in one position, and being adapted to engage the surface of the plate when the valve is moved in a second position, said lever being connected to said rod whereby the operationof the valve will swing said cleaner arm on its pivot.

8. In a windshield cleaner, a motor, a

cleaner ar operatively connected to the moer element carried by said arm,

tor, a cle means forcing said arm in one direction to hold the cleaner element against a Window to be cleaned, and means for moving said arm in the opposite direction against the action of the last mentioned means to space said cleaner element from said window and retain it in spaced position. In testimony whereof, we aflix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

FRED G. FOLBERTH.

WILLIAM M. FOLBERTH.

IVitnesses:

MAXWELL F. FOURNIER,

HERMAN O. LEHR. 

